Branched oligonucleotides containing bicyclic nucleotides as branching points and DNA or LNA as triplex forming branch

Various Y-shaped branched oligonucleotides containing a 2′-O,3′-C-ethylene linked or 2′-O,4′-C-methylene linked bicyclic nucleotide as branching point were synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer. Thermal denaturation experiments at 260 and 284 nm showed increased thermal stabilities of complexes formed between these Y-shaped oligonucleotides and complementary DNA compared with those formed with the corresponding linear reference. The most significant effect was observed when LNA (locked nucleic acid) monomers were used in the triplex forming branch.